WAFL 2025: Sandover medallist Charlie Constable driven to lead Perth to drought-breaking premiership

Charlie Constable has been at Perth for less than two years, but he’s already become part of their illustrious history after becoming their 14th Sandover medallist.

Constable won a thrilling count on Monday night, polling three votes in the final round to overtake South Fremantle star Matt Parker to be named the WAFL’s fairest and best.

For the 26-year-old it was just reward for his work to turn around what he considered a disappointing first season at the Redlegs, where he was restricted to only 11 games because of an ankle injury.

“I was really disappointed in my year. I wanted to come over and make a real impact for Perth and the injury derailed it,” Constable said.

“I felt like I was always chasing my tail. It was nice to have a full off-season, get fit and I felt like I was at my best for a lot of the year.”

Constable was the biggest signing for the Demons in some years, with the Victorian making the move west after four games for Gold Coast, having started his AFL career at Geelong.

A connection through former Cats teammate Jordan Clark landed him a fresh start at the Lathlain-based club and he’s bought in whole-heartedly to help bring the club their first flag since 1977.

“The main goal was to help the club go from where they have been to have real success,” he said.

“I’m a big believer in if you sort your culture out you can have on-field success quick, so that was the main driver and I’m happy I’ve come over.

“I feel like as a person I drive standards naturally and I’ve built connections pretty well. Last year obviously didn’t go to plan but this year I feel like we’ve put a trademark in place and as a group we’ve stuck to that most of the year and had a bit of success on the back of that.”

Constable became instrumental in ending one important drought, as the Demons not only made the finals for the second time this century but won a final for the first time in 28 years.

“I just try to focus on really simple things in my game,” he said.

“I know I’m not the best runner or the flashiest player but if I get my stoppage work right and I’m a one-touch guy, I’m a pretty valuable member of the team.

“Each game that’s all I tell myself — be clean, be good around stoppage and then sort the rest out from there.”

Scarily, despite averaging more than 33 touches this year and being the best player in the WAFL at the clearances, Constable backed himself to go to another level.

“I’d love to be able to add some forward line craft into my game and kick a few more goals,” he said.

“That would be the next step and something I’ll work on over the summer.”

And while he is happy with his personal success, becoming a premiership player at the Demons is what Constable really craves.

He has already signed on at the Demons for another two seasons, showing just how much faith he has in the direction of the club.

“It would mean everything. I’ve built amazing relationships at the club, and you’ve just got to look around at some of the past players and how much it means to them,” Constable said.

“It would mean everything to get the job done but there’s still a few building blocks to go until then but we’re excited about our future.”